Even when the Jets aren't playing the Patriots, the rivalry between the two AFC East franchises is still very much alive.

The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe reported on Wednesday Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was asked about his feelings for the Cleveland Browns, New England's opponent this week and the team Belichick coached from 1991 to 1995. His response included a dig at the Jets:

"I was [in Cleveland] for five years. It was five important years in my life, for myself, my family and all that. Obviously, we've all moved on, and I have a job to do here and that's where my loyalty is, is to Robert [Kraft], the Patriots organization and this football team. So it's no different than how I feel, honestly, about the Colts, or the Lions or the Broncos.

"I feel differently about the Jets. We won't put them in that category."

Zing!

Given Belichick jilting the Jets in 2000 with a resignation famously written on a napkin after just one day as the head coach of the franchise, we're sure Gang Green die-hards feel similarly about him separately from the way they view the Pats. Will Rex Ryan respond despite the fact that the only way these two teams will meet again would be the postseason?